Excel Keyboard Shortcuts: 24 Essentials and Free PDF

The Excel shortcuts you'll use every day: Alt + = for AutoSum, F4 to lock a reference with $ signs, Ctrl + ; for today's date and Ctrl + 5 for strikethrough. All 24 below come from Microsoft's official list for Excel on Windows, sorted by task, with the Mac equivalents at the end and a printable PDF.

Navigation & selection

• Ctrl + Arrow key - Jump to the edge of the data
• Ctrl + Home - Go to the start of the sheet
• Ctrl + Page Down - Next sheet
• Ctrl + Shift + Arrow key - Select to the last filled cell
• Ctrl + Spacebar - Select the entire column
• Shift + Spacebar - Select the entire row

Cells & rows

• F2 - Edit the active cell
• Ctrl + D - Fill down
• Ctrl + ; - Enter today's date
• Alt + Enter - New line in the same cell
• Ctrl + Shift + Plus - Insert cells
• Ctrl + Minus - Delete cells

Formatting

• Ctrl + B - Bold
• Ctrl + I - Italic
• Ctrl + 5 - Strikethrough
• Ctrl + 1 - Format Cells dialog
• Ctrl + Shift + ! - Number format, 2 decimals
• Ctrl + Shift + $ - Currency format

Formulas

• Alt + = - AutoSum
• F4 - Toggle absolute reference ($)
• Ctrl + Grave accent - Show formulas
• Shift + F3 - Insert function

Workbook

• Shift + F11 - Insert a new sheet
• F12 - Save As

Mac

• Cmd + B - Bold
• Cmd + I - Italic
• Shift + Cmd + X - Strikethrough
• Cmd + 1 - Format Cells
• Shift + Cmd + T - AutoSum
• Cmd + T - Toggle absolute reference
• Cmd + D - Fill down
• Ctrl + ; - Today's date
• Option + Return - New line in the same cell
• Cmd + Shift + S - Save As

Pro tip

Start with the three that save the most clicks: Alt + =, F4 and Ctrl + D. Use them on purpose for a week, then add three more. Shortcuts that work in every program are on the Windows shortcuts sheet.

FAQ

How do I insert a row in Excel with the keyboard?

Microsoft lists no single shortcut for it. Select the row with Shift + Spacebar, then press Ctrl + Shift + Plus to insert cells. To delete it, select the row and press Ctrl + Minus.

What is the shortcut for strikethrough in Excel?

Ctrl + 5 on Windows, Shift + Cmd + X on a Mac.

How do I add $ signs to a cell reference?

Click into the reference in your formula and press F4. Each press cycles through the combinations, for example A1, $A$1, A$1 and $A1. On a Mac, use Cmd + T or F4.

What is the Excel shortcut for sum?

Alt + = inserts AutoSum on Windows, Shift + Cmd + T on a Mac.

Next step

Shortcuts save clicks. Touch typing saves time on every word and number you enter. Measure your typing speed in one minute, then see how the touch typing guide closes the gap.

Matching sheets

Two more sheets for the office: Word keyboard shortcuts and Outlook keyboard shortcuts. For entering numbers blind, the numpad map helps.

Sources

• Microsoft Support: Keyboard shortcuts in Excel - Windows and macOS tabs, US keyboard layout.